Used 2012 Honda CR-V Consumer Reviews

Excellent Choice

We are very pleased with our purchase. The CR-V is comfortable with sufficient room in the driver and front passenger area to not feel confined. Instrumentation is easy to read and controls are functional and easy to use. Rear cargo area is very sufficient for our needs handling a medium size dog crate with ease. Rear seating area is comfortable and very adequate for two good sized adults. We are presently getting 29.5 MPG is mixed driving. Style and quality of build is excellent.

Liking the improvements!

This is our 3rd CR-V (and our 9th Honda). I traded an 07 EX-L for the 13 LX. I miss with leather, posh interior and better sound system and I will definitely morn the loss of the heated seats next winter, but let me tell you what I LOVE about the 2013. The ride is smooth - my daughter says it's like riding on a cloud. Road noise? Gone! We don't have to shout to have a conversation. Gas mileage? With the econ button on, got 31 mpg with mixed driving on 1st tank. Woo hoo!!! My 07 was getting about 24 mpg. Love the back-up camera, Bluetooth, etc. My only gripes: interior, while comfy, seems a bit plastic/cheap; LX sound system is sub-par. Overall - very happy with the new CR-V!!!

Dependable little car

I agree with Edmunds that the car is underpowered. We have to turn off the Air Conditioning to merge onto freeways. Fuel economy is OK but not great for a small car - 24 all around for 96000 miles on this EX-L AWD. Great in the snow in a straight line. Tthe narrow tires don't corner well in snow or on ice, but it does start and stop well. Rain grooves in the freeway push/pull the car all over because of the narrow tires. The car remains tight - no rattles, no noises. Suspension and steering just like new. A very dependable car but boring that gets you from here to there, Only real complaint, and it's listed in all CR-V forums, is the rear brakes. I replaced the pads at 30k, then four times more by 96k. Rotors and calipers twice. It's some kind of design defect that Honda won't acknowledge. The calipers stick and won't let go. When it happens again the only thing left to replace is the Master Cylinder.

Fantastic Gas Mileage!

Traded in my '07 Civic coupe on a White Diamond Pearl CR-V EX. I love this SUV! Can be a little sluggish with Econ mode on but saves a lot on gas and it's peppy and fun to drive with the Econ mode off. I love that the CR-V handles so well. It handles almost as good as my beloved Civic did, excellent turning radius makes it easy to park. The cabin is quiet but still hear some road noise and has minimal body roll around corners and good stability. Getting a solid 30 mpg on the highway which is my main driving ~66 miles round trip per day at around 70 mph. Has 1,500 miles on it now. I've had several people tell me it's a beautiful vehicle! No other SUV compares in features for the price.

CR-V getting better with age

We traded our 2007 Honda CR-V EX-L in for a new 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L after doing due diligence and exploring all the other new models. Like many others looking for a high content, high value CUV, It's really difficult to beat the combination that the CR-V offers. With 1,400+ miles on ours now, the gas mileage has averaged 31mpg both highway & city. We've seen as high as 38mpg. The 4cyl does fine, and living in TN we have a good mix of hills and valleys with no issues passing on the freeway. Both front & back seat space is really good, and we continue to marvel at how spacious it is on the inside compared to small footprint on the outside. Fit and finish are very good.

GREAT little SUV

This car is reliable and handles the road well. My version has heated seats and electric drive's seat as well as factory tint and electric sun roolf. The seats are leather and easy to maintain. I inititally intended to buy a brand-new Honda and select all my extras, but I bought instead a two-year old certified used because I SO appreciated the color; further, it had all of the add-ons I wanted. It's just a great HONDA. Love it love it love it.

Where is the legroom?

I like all of the features of my CR-V, but does anyone else have a problem with the driver's side legroom? I am 6'2" and have NEVER had a problem with legroom before; I can't drive this car for more than 2 hours without severe cramps.

Great car

I bought my CRV about a week ago from a broker and I love it. I got the urban titanium color and it is really cute. The car with the color and options I wanted at the price I was looking for was hard to find since its such a new model, so I went thru a car broker. I had to pay a $300 fee upfront but they found the exact car I was looking for (on a boat still being shipped over) and negotiated an amazing deal with the dealer. I got it for $300 over invoice. I love all the features except for two that I can think of off hand. The parking brake is set too low so it sometimes hits my left shin depending on how I'm sitting. It also doesn't sync well enough with my iPhone to play music.

2012 CR-V EX-L is superb...

After 4 weeks and 4000 miles, I have to say that I am truly impressed with this vehicle. It has met or exceeded every expectation I have had about both a Honda and the CR-V line. The ‘car’ is well put together both inside and out, with function-by-design throughout. The ride is smooth and quiet, the acceleration is totally fine and the braking is excellent. The model I purchased has AWD and I have used it in snow a few times and found it to be excellent. Keeps totally control during wheel slippage and remains sure-footed in deep snow. Really confidence building when carrying the family through bad weather. This has proven to be an excellent choice and a very strong love affair with my car.

Honda PROBLEMS!

My 2012 CRV had a very common problem according to the searches I did online. At about 89,000 miles a defective VTC Actuator caused a loud rattling noise at start-up. I saw that many CRV owners complained of this condition which Honda has refused to do any recalls on. One owner had the problem soon after purchasing a NEW CRV and the dealer would do NOTHING in any sort of new car coverage. Another had the repair done TWICE! Nor would Honda do anything to resolve the issue. Meanwhile my vehicle was worthless in trade until I paid over $1,200 to repair the noise to a reputable automotive mechanic. Just google "CRV makes noise at start" This was my second Honda CRV. My previous one was a 2001 which required a "common problem" repair (window malfunction), also unrecognized by dealerships as worthy of any recall. If Honda cannot stand by their product, I need to look elsewhere. The many nice features are all worthless to me if my car is worthless in trade AND Honda dealers fail to provide promised reliability. Search "honda vtc actuator" and you can see the Accord shares a similar problem.

Much Better Than a RAV4

Just traded a 2009 RAV4 for the 2012 CRV-EX. The CRV is much quieter, less road noise, peppier and much more comfortable. It looks better and rides so much better. We are hoping the reliability is as high but we think that with Honda it will be.

2012 CRV Review From A Unique Perspective

I recently purchased a 2012 Honda CRV EX. My perspective may be unusual because I also purchased a 2011 CRV EX a few weeks earlier, so I can compare the differences in both. Both of these vehicles replaced my 1999 & 2000 CRV LX, so my take on the differences in CRV’s may be somewhat unique. Honda may have picked areas to improve on that not everyone may agree with.

Good value for the price

I am halfway through my 2012 CR-V LX AWD lease; my commute is ~7m RT and I rarely travel long distance for work. I live in hilly NE where AWD is a must for us. As this is the primary commuter car (second car is an around-town minivan) I wanted the safety and all-purpose features of an SUV with the mileage and comfort of a sedan. On the whole I am impressed given what I see is a lack of strong competitors in this price range. As a former Honda/Subaru/Saab owner, I preferred the build of Honda over Kia and Hyundai, find the fit/finish/layout of the RAV-4 (and most Toyotas in general) a bit wonky, don't trust the reliability or build quality of Ford quite yet, and don't have the $ for an MDX.

We're very happy with our 2012 CR-V

We wrote a review just after purchase about a year ago and were extremely happy with the CR-V. A annoying rattle in the rear seat headrest developed after about a year, but the dealer opened the rear seat back and replaced the offending part. We were very pleased. Overall, after four years of ownership, we're quite pleased with the fuel economy (30+ highway), handling, roadability, and overall quality. The seats could be more comfortable for long trips, (the seat bottoms are a bit short and therefore "under thigh" support is somewhat lacking) but again, we are glad we bought the vehicle. Even after 4 1/2 years and 30000 miles, it's still tight and solid. My wife finds it perfect for around town - easy handling, easy to park and get in an out of. Update: April 2017. five years old. Still feel the same in all respects. October 2017: Vehicle now 5 years old. We replaced battery, tires, required services. We still find the vehicle solid and dependable. Glad we bought it.

Noisiest car I have ever owned

Purchased brand new (14 Months ago) with every option Honda offers. This vehicle is the noisiest car I have ever owned. My Honda convertible S2000 was quieter than this CRV. Road/tire noise, wind noise, engine noise and even noise from passing vehicles are not attenuated. Being mostly mid to higher frequency noise, this gives us both a headache. I question if Honda forgot the soundproofing in my car. The Head Lights are very weak & easy to over drive. At Hwy speeds the steering input is far too sensitive, making it squirrelly and dangerous feeling. Even as a commercial helicopter pilot, the Navigation/stereo is not easy to use and key features do not work with the iPhone.

Perfect!

First off it doesn't need a 6cyl engine, it's a small to midsized SUV for crying out loud not a Bugatti Veyron, it does just fine with a 4cyl . The Einstein's crying for a need for speed are the same geniuses that drive down the road yapping on their cell in one hand eating with the other and steering with their knee's all the while compensating for a lack of a 3rd leg( just my own opinion) ! My 2012 CRV EX-L bought with 59,650 miles with myself driving averages 26 city / 34 highway. Not crazy about the hard plastic in the interior but not a big deal. Absolutely love the heated seats, the generous cargo space, the car like ride and handling, the gas mileage, beautiful leather seats. If I had to pick a con and it's very hard to find one, it would be that the rubber seals around the door frame on the shell of the CRV sag and don't hold in place. This CRV is my most favorite yet!

Honda Reliability Has Degraded

Honda has long known there was design problem with the variable timing chain actuator (VTC Actuator) in a number of vehicles since at least 2008 model year. Honda issued TBA 09-010 in October 2012 about this problem. The problem could occur outside the normal warranty period. Symptoms include a grinding or rattling noise on a cold start after the car has been at rest for approximately 10 hours. The cost of repair will be in excess of $600.00 for the customer. Honda refuses to extend warranty or do a recall. The problem with the recall is this, if they replace the VTC Actuator it will likely fail again. I will never buy another Honda product. It has been a while since my CR-V had the VTC Actuator replaced and the problem has not occurred again, however, according to the Honda technician it could occur again. I have had no other problems with the vehicle. According to the existing book value, the CR-V is holding up pretty well. My next vehicle will not be a Honda, as my opinion of VTC Actuator issue has not changed. I just don't trust the company.

First Honda

I traded in my 2009 Scion XB for the 2012 CRV a month ago. So far I'm loving the upgrade. Power is lacking but gas mileage is beyond what I expected in this vehicle. I'm averaging about 29mpg mixed City and Hwy. Nice to make it more then a week between fills. The ride is very smooth compared to my XB could be the "regular" tires vs the low profile tires on the XB. I can't get used to the back up camera and rarely look at it. I don't trust it lol.

2012 CRV EXL+Navi, oil leak and can't be fixed!

Since it had around 6k miles I saw oil leak under passenger side drive shaft. ( I was changing engine oil that's why I noticed the leak). 1st time took to dealer they changed the whole intermediate half shaft... diagnosis was support bearing was defective. After 6-7 months later same problem came back. Went same dealer and the same exact part was changed again. Another 7 months or so...same oil leak. This time I went other dealership and they diagnosed same problem...changed the same part 3rd time. Last week I decided to go under car and look again. The same leak is there... My bumper-to-bumper warranty is over, but still have power train warranty left for another year.... I complained Honda Corporate and they sent their regional mechanic to check the problem and diagnosed...No "major" problem???? Oil leak on a brand new vehicle and not a No major problem??? They said it is leaking an extra oil from bearing... and eventually will stop. Really???I think it is a lemon that I had to adders which I didn't do anything... when it was under 3yr/36month warranty...now I have to live with. Now People, tell me how this brand is so reliable... that it leaks oil and can't be fixed? It has OK ride but the best Fuel economy we get is around 23-24 MPG. Never was able to go what they claimed 27MPG average. My last Honda Product!

You gotta luv it !

I have only had this car for 3 weeks. I wanted to wait longer to write a review, However I'm so excited about this little SUV I just had to let it out. With 600 miles on this car there is nothing I do not like about it. I have owned 60 cars and trucks in the last 36 years, 13 of them Hondas. Like always Honda has done it again. Solid, Quiet, and quality the just does not stop. I have owned Toyotas, Nissans, Subarus, Fords, Chevys, BMWs, Mazadas, etc. Everytime I switch to a different brand, I always miss my Hondas. This SUV feels very upscale when driving down the road. The interior is very pleasant and comfortable. Fit & finish is great. If you are thinking about it, you gotta get one.

Well done...

Just got my 2012 CR-V EX and I'm loving it. This is my first SUV ever and second Honda vehicle, after a 1998 Civic. I'm very well impressed with the level of sophistication and versatility of this vehicle for this price segment. After reading some expert reviews complaining about the CR-V being a little under powered, I can only say that unless you have a large family and/or large towing needs, this vehicle provides enough acceleration and handling to comply with most driver demands, especially in terms of fuel economy. Last but not least, Honda has a great lease deal going on that also added to the equation...

Everyone loves a CRV, right?

The Good: It fits a very desirable niche, these days. Decent ground clearance, which makes for easy ingress/egress from car. Stepped, classic transmission, not a CVT, which is preferable to most folks. Decent fuel economy if you are light-footed. Highway can average 32 with the 2.5 4-banger, but in-town the penalty is low mpg, around 22 or so. One of the most endearing qualities of the CRV is the "quick flip" of the rear seats by two levers in the back, which send the seats automatically to flip down and make the cargo area nice and roomy for carrying odds and ends.....large ones at that!! Seating position and comfort was quite good overall. The Not-so-Good: Handling is only fair........body leans and rolls, and is not quick to react to inputs. It's fine in a straight line, but not so much in the twisties. Navigation is quite simply, horrible. Use your phone. Sound system in mine was just passable, not good by any means. Performance was, at best, middling. Don't buy any CRV for performance, it's not the appeal of the CRV. The Ugly: A really bad noise emanated from the engine, which I've researched to be the VVT (variable valve timing) device located at the end of the camshaft. It sounds like a starter motor grinding, but it's a harmless though nasty weird mechanical rattttaaaatttttaaaattt, which lasts from 1 to 3 seconds or so, especially if it's very cold, like less than 50 degrees ambient temperature. If the engine's warmed up, it's unusual for the sound to occur. Online, it appears that it's a common issue with the 2.5 engine from Honda, though Honda won't admit it as a problem since it's a real piece of work to tear the camshaft down, remove it, extract the VVT mechanism from the end of the shaft, and replace it and put everything back together again, preferable r/r the water pump since you're already in there. I bought the car knowing this was an issue, and though it made the noise pretty much every first start of the day, it was never a problem for the reliability of the car, which I owned for 3 years. In the End: Well, it's a mixed bag, in my opinion. The ladies love it; it's a good size for getting the benefits of an SUV but without the negatives of the monster SUV's that abound out there. It's easy to get in and out of, is just peppy enough not to hate it, rides pretty well although isn't taught or lithesome, and gets fairly good mileage if you are gentle with the throttle. The worst thing in my experience was the noisy sound when starting most of the time, and I never got it fixed, since it would cost over two grand as I understand it. I thought about tackling it myself, since I'm a competent mechanic, but decided against it after youtubing the process. Newer CRV's don't seem to have this fault, but use care buying a used one, since it's a real costly repair.

Great family car

We have made 2 long trips along with the normal day-to-day driving. This is a near perfect car for us. While there is only 2 of us, we many times have 5 people in the the car. Everyone is comfortable in this car. Rear view camera turns out to be a nice convenience. The big disappointment is the rear hatch. Once it is open it is very difficult to close. There is not an option for an electric closer. You must reach fairly high in the air to grab the open door and if you have any type of shoulder or arm problem (I do) then you can not close the hatch. A car like this should have an electric closer. This is a big oversight.

3rd CRV - they keep getting better

Traded in a 2009 CRV (EX) for a 2012 EX-L with Nav. Got a great price for the trade-in (CRVs hold their value nicely) and am loving the new one. Favorite features: Getting about 23 mpg, which is what was promised. Comfortable ride and smooth handling Love the center console (much better than the table thingy in the 2009) The Navigation is a life-saver. When I travel to new cities, the Navi is a major "de-stressor" Love taking this car grocery shopping - easy to get groceries in and out (lots of room!).

2012 CRV -- Good basic car.

My girlfriend bought a 2012 CRV LX 2WD last summer. I've been driving it recently so I decided to share my experience. The CRV is comfortable and easy to drive. The seats are supportive and very comfortable. The engine provides adequate power and the transmission shifts are smooth. The brakes work well and stops are confident. The CRV handles reasonably well but the steering is somewhat disconnected. For most people it's fine. Visibility out the front and sides are good but the rear window is very small and the visibility out the rear is terrible. Fortunately the back up camera is standard on all models. The sound system is good. We're getting 27-29 mpg in mixed rural driving.

lovin the new 2012 Honda cr-v ex-l awd

I am not affiliated with Honda, I just buy them. This Honda is stellar in every aspect. I traded in my 2008 crv lx, which I liked also, very good quality. This redsigned crossover is so nice and if you are thinking of buying one...go for it! If you can opt for the the ex-L I recommend going with this one. It will not disappoint. People that say Honda needs to put a 6 speed tranny and 6 cyl in these are nuts! This 4 cyl. has more HP than previous models and better gas mileage. Stellar performance and reliability is what consumers want and it's what Honda delivers in all of the their vehicles. You cannot go wrong with the 2012 crv or any Honda new or used!

First and Last Honda

Disappointed after 1.5 months of ownership! Traded in a 07 4runner and took a huge step down. The vehicle is quite on smooth roads but try some rougher pavement and the noise is clear. Bought this thing for gas mileage and I'm averaging 22.4. Not even close to advertised. Test drive one at night on a dark road out of the city and check out the high beams. Headlights are Horrible! Mine has some issue with the electrical system. My lights almost blink off when I come to an idle. Hope it does decent in the snow! It sounds and feels cheap! I don't have enough room to talk about the dealer. I put up with a bad dealer to buy into a quality, great gas mileage car and man did I get burned!!!

Road Noise

I purchased the EX CR-V yesterday. I test drove one earlier in the month but was waiting for the blue color. I went around the block when it came in and it seemed fine. I am surprised that no one has complained of road noise. I find it sooooo noisy from both the road and passing cars. Everyone keeps saying last years model was noisier but I can't imagine how. Please before purchasing take it on the freeway and rough roads to be sure. I am stuck for a while.

What an outstanding automobile!! John of Columbus, NC.

On 31 January 2012, I purchased a 2012 Honda CR-V 2WD EX-L and traded in a 2011 Hyundai Genesis after a year of ownership. I was able to purchase the CR-V for $26,761 not including taxes, tags and admin. fee. That price included body side molding, splash guards and rear cargo tray. It is a fantastic vehicle right from the first drive home from the selling dealer.

Impressed at first to be disappointed

There are issues with grinding noise when it starts, Honda didn't do recall for this issue and it cost around 500$to fix it and it comes back after 6 months. Another issue radio, bluetooth keeps turning off.And dealerships when called didn't hear about any of those issues.

2012 Honda CR-V

Everything about this car is excellent. Low road noise...great mileage per gallon...great handling....great comfort...stylish and so much more. Very reliable car with low mileage.

love my CR/V

Longest lasting car ever

Bought brand new in 2012. Paid off 4 yrs ago. We've replaced brakes and rotors, that's it. 128,000 miles. Changed oil regularly. Tiny bit of surface rust (live on a dirt road). Man can they go through the snow. The only bad thing is it came with CRAP tires and they didn't stand behind them.

Excellent and reliable

The 100K mile Gem!

The CRV holds up very well and drives like new with 100K miles on it. Seat comfort is excellent. Love everything. The headlights were upgraded to LED and that helped a lot. Then there is the sound system. Doesn't sound good until you are on XM satellite radio. Even then, for a car approaching $30,000 or more, the stereo is weak and looks difficult to upgrade. Bummer, but we have had accords and really like the ease of getting in and out better.

Cool Reliable vehicle

Liked everything except as the vehicle aged the road noise crept could be heard more and more in the driving - seating area.

Poor seats, transmission, & turn signals

After 42000 miles I have had great around town results. The only problems I have had are with the seats and transmission (which was covered under warranty). The seats are hard and after an hour of driving become uncomfortable, nothing like the great ride from my 1998 Chrysler Town and Country, which I use on any trips longer than an hour. The transmission started shuddering when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear and was replaced at 33000 miles. I understand the newer models use a CVT transmission. I plan to keep the car for around town driving. One more item - the turn signal sound is and has always been too soft. There is no way to adjust it louder. This seems to be a step backward where in previous vehicles you could buy and install a louder sounding turn signal.

A lot of road noise

This car gets very good gas mileage, I haven't been really happy with the car, has a faulty part that you have to repair in order to align your car, has to repair the entire air conditioning which seems soon for a vehicle only 4 years old. Again, gets good mileage!

Perfection!

I love my white 2012 CR-V. Had it pinstriped in red/black and it looks awesome! We had a 2007, wow how the car has improved! Have had the car since January 2012, and have not experienced one problem. We are getting 30.2 mpg in mixed driving, love the backup mirror, this car is simply FUN to drive. It will be a keeper for a long time!

Rickari Review

This car does wonderful in the snow and handles great on the road... It is very roomy and me being 6'3'' it had plenty of head room.. love the car..

find a dealer you can trust

128k miles. The seats are the most uncomfortable ever! The mechanism that holds the driver's seat up does not hold it's position. Mileage is good and other than 2 batteries we have not had any real problems. Ready for new tires.

Fun to drive

Easy in and out and safe on the road.

This car saved my life.

This was my first car that I got for my 16th birthday. I loved her and drove the hell out of her. I was recently involved in a car accident where my car was totaled. I think that if I were in any other car I would be seriously hurt, but I'm not. She ran great on gas. I did experience the problem where there was a loud grinding sound when starting the car, but it was never an issue that diminished the car's performance. If you are looking for a safe and reliable car for you or your child, this is it. I got mine at 80,000 miles and had her til about 104,000. Never had a problem. Changed the tires once, which was normal because the tires were very old, but other than that only ever had to change the oil. I'll really miss this car.

Carlos

This SUV is the best I ever had; it is reliable and efficient. It is wonderful!

service

I have had my car for 8 years and have traveled many places it holds good gas mileage and is just enough space for me. I Love it

Best Rocket Ever!

I bought her new! I love my car! She’s the best car I’ve ever had. She now has over 198,000 miles .. and I’m hoping we make 300,000 or more! She has pick up and go. She drives great. She’s almost 11 years old. I only have her serviced at Honda. I believe that is the key. Thank you Honda 😁

Best vehicle I have ever owned

I'm 6'2"/195 lbs. Fits me well. Very comfortable, heated seats. Excellent acceleration and brakes. 45,000 miles on a set of tires. All works well. No problems at 70,000 miles. Purchased new.

Best Honda yet!!

Just picked up my 2012 CRV-EX-L from the dealer and I love it!! What a fun vehicle and practical as well. I was surprised how "zippy" the car is when pulling out from an intersection or getting up to speed to flow with traffic. Getting about 27 mpg combined highway/city, but that's according to the mpg indicator. I'll find out how good it is when a do several fill-ups and calculate the mpg based on calculating the gallons/miles on a calculator. There's nothing I don't like, except for it takes time to get used to the XM radio and all the settings.

2012 CRV EX-L TEST DRIVE - December 10th

Test drove the new CRV this afternoon and bought one for my wife. Replacing her 2003 CRV after 9 exceptionally reliable years. Road noise reasonable (better than earlier models). Nice cabin layout, excellent trunk room (floor lowered), comfortable seats, decent quality leather seating, and reasonable pep. Folding table between front seats is gone (good). Didn't test the Eco mode, but apparently increases highway mpg 7%. Acceleration remains reasonable, but not stellar. Rear leg room appears slightly larger, and rear seats fold down more easily than on previous models. Rear pull out shelf standard. Rear seats more comfortable. Feels more spacious. Great car for the next 9 years!

Base model lacking necessary essentials...

I had a 2012 CRV lx for about 2 weeks before trading it back in to recieve a refund(dealer allowed so). I initially liked the CRV LX, it drover smooth, MPG was right on point with EPA ratings,more power than normal for its class which gave decent pick up when not in ECON mode. However there were things that bugged me that made me return it. No arm rest for the front passenger, 3 speeds for the windshield wipers,cheap quality upholstery for seats,cheap steal wheels, high price of add on features compared to other car makers. It's upsetting that I have to pay $2800 to upgrade just to get better quality seats, a front passenger armrest, and more than just 3 speeds for the windshielf wipers.